FitzGerald is on defensive in Ohio governor’s race

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Democrat Ed FitzGerald already had an uphill fight in his campaign to unseat a well-funded Ohio governor.

Now the Cuyahoga County executive is on the defensive about why he lacked a permanent driver’s license for more than a decade. And he’s been forced to answer questions about 2012 police records showing him in a parking lot at 4:30 a.m. with a woman who isn’t his wife.

FitzGerald has apologized for letting his driver’s license lapse from 2002 to 2012. He also says nothing inappropriate happened in the car. Police didn’t cite him.

The revelations come less than three months before Election Day, when FitzGerald should be trying to gain ground with voters.

A re-election victory for GOP Gov. John Kasich could give Republicans momentum in the presidential swing state.